Cricket
Conquerors beat Challengers by 28 runs
Karachi(SBR)Conquerors skipper Fatima Sana struck a masterful 88 off 49 balls against Challengers to help her team register second win of the National Women’s T20 tournament 2024-25 at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Saturday evening. Challengers were restricted to 137-7 in their pursuit of the 166-run target.Fatima, who walked in to bat at no.5 with 45 runs on the board, struck 14 fours and three sixes in her commanding knock, while also partnering for a mammoth 111-run stand with Najiha Alvi (25 not out, 25b, 2x4s).For Challengers, Rameen Shamim returned figures of 4-0-19-2, while Zaib-un-Nisa and Quratulain dimissed one batter each.In turn, Challengers’ Aliya Riaz, who turned up at no.3, top-scored with 36 off 34 balls hitting three fours and two sixes, while also stitching a 29-run stand with opening batter Sadaf Shamas (30, 30b, 5x4s, 1x6).With Challengers slipping to 80-5 after being 72-2, skipper Rameen (27 n0t out, 15b, 3x4s, 1x6) and Gull Rukh (17, 12b, 1x6) waged a fightback but in vain as they fell 28 runs short. For Conquerors Mahnoor Aftab picked up two wickets.At the Oval Academy Ground, Stars’ skipper Sidra Amin continued her brilliant form with the bat as she struck a 44-ball 59 inclusive of seven fours and one six in her team’s 69-run win over Invincibles.After the departure of opening batter Samiya Afsar (18, 12b, 4x4s) with 28 runs on the board, no.3 batter Sidra partnered with Sana Urooj (45, 41b, 4x4s, 2x6s) for a 75-run stand. Huraina Sajjad (18, 10b, 3x4s) and Tuba Hassan (17, 14b, 1x6) also chipped in with valuable contributions with the bat as Stars posted 172-5 in their 20 overs.For Invincibles, Omaima Sohail dismissed two batters for 27 runs in her four overs.With the ball, Stars’ Waheeda Akhtar ran riot with figures of 4-1-16-4, while Anosha Nasir and Tuba Hassan dismissed two batters each as Invincibles folded for a mere 103-9 in 20 overs. No batters except Muneeba Ali (40, 28b, 7x4s) and Omaima (30, 29b, 4x4s) entered the double figures for Invincibles, who have now lost three matches on the trot.Scores in brief:Match 5: Conquerors beat Challengers by 28 runs at the National Bank StadiumConquerors 165-5, 20 overs (Fatima Sana 88, Najiha Alvi 25 not out; Rameen Shamim 2-19)Challengers 137-7, 20 overs (Aliya Riaz 36, Sadaf Shamas 30, Rameen Shamim 27 not out; Mahnoor Aftab 2-9)Player of the match – Fatima Sana (Challengers)Match 6: Stars beat Invincibles by 69 runs at the Oval Academy GroundStars 172-5, 20 overs (Sidra Amin 59, Sana Urooj 45; Omaima Sohail 2-27)Invincibles 103-9, 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 40, Omaima Sohail 30; Waheeda Akhtar 4-16, Tuba Hassan 2-14, Anosha Nasir 2-38)Player of the match – Sidra Amin (Stars)
Daryl Mitchell Shares Message of Peace Amid Regional Tensions
LAHORE(PR): New Zealand cricketer Daryl Mitchell, currently en route to New Zealand and mid-flight between the UAE and his home country, has shared a heartfelt message as tensions rise between India and Pakistan — two nations he says remain close to his heart."It's been tough to watch two countries that are so close to my heart in conflict over the past few days. My thoughts are with those affected on both sides," Mitchell said during his journey home.Having participated in both the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Indian Premier League (IPL), Mitchell reflected on the impact both tournaments have had on his cricketing career:"Both the PSL and IPL have played major roles in my career, and I’ve always cherished my time in both tournaments. I hope peace prevails and we can get back to playing the game we love and continue giving back to the amazing people who support us."While currently on his way home to be with his family, Mitchell expressed hope and optimism for the future."It feels good to be heading home to my family, but I’m also looking forward to returning to both countries in the future — places I truly love spending time in."
Quetta Gladiators beat Islamabad United by 109 runs
Lahore (SBR):Rilee Rossouw and Hasan Nawaz struck magnificent centuries in Quetta Gladiators’ 109-run triumph over Islamabad United here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in 26th match of the HBL PSL X on Wednesday night.Quetta Gladiators were propelled to 263-3 in 20 overs - the highest ever team total in HBL PSL history, bettering Multan Sultans 262-3 at the same venue in March 2023. Rossouw and Hasan also became the first pair of batters to score centuries in the same innings in HBL PSL.The destructive Gladiators duo walked in to bat at 60-2 in the sixth over after opening batter Saud Shakeel (23) and Finn Allen (5) had departed. Rossouw, who brought up his third HBL PSL century, struck 14 fours and six sixes in his 104 off 46 balls, while also stitching a 134-run stand with Hasan in 10.1 overs. His half-century came off 26 balls.Hasan (100 not out, 45b, 4x4s, 9x6s) on the other hand brought up his second T20 century in dramatic style as he struck Ben Dwarshuis for a boundary on the last ball of Quetta’s innings.The 22-year-old, who earlier brought up his half-century from 29 balls, clubbed Naseem Shah for three sixes and a four in the penultimate over consigning him for 28 runs. While Rossouw departed in the 16th over, Hasan went onto stitch an unbeaten 69-run stand off 26 balls with Mark Chapman (13, 8b, 2x4s).Quetta ransacked 160 runs off the last 10 overs, including hitting Mohammad Nawaz for 21 in 12th over and Jason Holder for 20 in the next over. In turn, Islamabad United were dismissed for 154 all out in 19.3 overs as no.9 batter Imad Wasim (56, 41b, 5x4s, 2x6s) and no.10 Ben Dwarshuis (31, 24b, 1x4, 2x6s) helped their team avoid the biggest loss margin (120 runs) in HBL PSL history.Islamabad United, who now have five wins from nine matches and face a prospect of must-win last league game against Karachi Kings on Saturday, slipped to 68-8 in nine overs with Mohammad Amir eking out the first three scalps with 19 runs on the board.Mohammad Wasim Jnr (2-28), Abrar Ahmed (2-17), Faheem Ashraf (1-40) and Khurram Shahzad (1-41) struck in the middle overs to keep United batters in check before Imad and Dwarshuis stitched a 47-ball 55-run stand for the ninth wicket breaching the 150-run mark.Scores in brief;Quetta Gladiators 263-3. 20 overs (Rilee Rossouw 104, Hasan Nawaz 100 not out, Saud Shakeel 23)Islamabad United 154 all out, 19.3 overs (Imad Wasim 56, Ben Dwarshuis 31, Muhammad Shahzad 24; Mohammad Amir 3-6, Abrar Ahmed 2-17, Mohammad Wasim 2-28)Player of the match – Rilee Rossouw (Quetta Gladiators)Thursday’s fixture: Peshawar Zalmi v Karachi Kings at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium; 8pm PKT
T20: Conquerors and Stars win opening round matches
Karachi (SBR):Conquerors and Stars won their opening round matches of the National Women’s T20 Tournament 2024-25, which began at the two venues of Karachi on Wednesday afternoon.At the National Bank Stadium, after opting to bat first, Stars on the back of an unbeaten 89 from skipper Sidra Amin, scored 148 for four in their allotted 20 overs against Strikers. No.3 batter, Sidra’s innings included 14 fours and a six, which came off 57 balls.Huraina Sajjad returned undefeated on 25 off 30 balls, which included one boundary. The pair of Sidra and Huraina knitted an unbroken 81-run partnership for the fifth wicket.In turn, despite an unbeaten half-century by Eyman Fatima (52 not out, 34b, 9x4s, 1x6), who walked in to bat at 46-2, Strikers fell 17 runs short of the target and managed to score 131 for six in 20 overs.Neelam Mushtaq and Tuba Hassan bagged two wickets apiece for the winning side.At the Oval Academy Ground, Conquerors scored 145 for nine in 20 overs after batting first against Invincibles. Captain Fatima Sana was the top run-getter, returning undefeated on 85 off 48 balls, which included 12 fours and three sixes.For Invincibles, left-arm spinner Saima Malik was the most successful bowler, claiming four wickets for 13 runs in four overs.In reply, Invincibles were restricted to 115 for six in their 20 overs, falling 30 runs short of the target. Muneeba Ali top-scored with a 48-ball 50, which included five fours and a six. No.7 batter Fatima Khan struck five fours in her 33-ball 31 but in vain.For the winning side, left-arm spinner Nashra Sundhu grabbed two wickets for 20 in four overs.On 8 May, Strikers will face Invincibles at the National Bank Stadium, while Challengers will take on Stars at the Oval Academy Ground. Both matches will begin at 3pm.Scores in brief:Match 1: Stars beat Strikers by 17 runs at the National Bank StadiumStars 148-4, 20 overs (Sidra Amin 89 not out, Huraina Sajjad 25 not out)Strikers 131-6, 20 overs (Eyman Fatima 52 not out, Aleena Masood 23, Zoofishan Ayyaz 21; Neelam Mushtaq 2-27, Tuba Hassan 2-27)Player of the match – Sidra Amin (Stars)Match 2: Conquerors beat Invincibles by 30 runs at the Oval Academy GroundConquerors 145-9, 20 overs (Fatima Sana 85 not out, Farzana Farooq 21; Saima Malik 4-13)Invincibles 115-6, 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 50, Fatima Khan 31 not out; Nashra Sundhu 2-20)Player of the match – Fatima Sana (Conquerors)
National Women’s T20 Tournament to begin on Wednesday
Karachi (SBR):The National Women’s T20 Tournament will begin on Wednesday (tomorrow) in Karachi. The 18-day tournament will see five teams – Challengers, Conquerors, Invincibles, Stars and Strikers, competing against one another with each team playing eight matches with a total of 22 matches slated to take place till 24 May.The T20 matches will be played at the National Bank Stadium and Oval Ground, with first ball of each match to be bowled at 3pm. The opening day will see Strikers competing against National Women’s One-Day Champions Stars at the National Bank Stadium, while Conquerors will take on Invincibles at the Oval Ground.To make the tournament more competitive, the teams finishing second and third on the points table will face off in a Qualifier on 22 May, with the winner advancing to meet the top-ranked team in the final on 24 May. The final will be played at the National Bank Stadium.A total of 80 cricketers will participate in the tournament, which carries a prize pool of over PKR three Million. The champions will receive PKR 1.5 million, while the runners-up will take home PKR one million.Pakistan national team captain Fatima Sana will lead Conquerors, while opening batter Gull Feroza will captain Strikers. Muneeba Ali, the only Pakistan women batter to score a T20I century will lead Invincibles, while all-rounder Rameen Shamim will lead Challengers. Sidra Amin, who was Pakistan’s top run-getter in the recently concluded ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier, will lead Stars.Captains’ while speaking exclusively to PCB Digital on the eve of the tournament expressed their confidence on team’s preparations.Challengers captain Rameen Shamim: “We have made plans for the tournament with the coaching staff and will try to execute them on the field.“We have a balanced squad with all departments covered and we will aim to produce good results in every match of the tournament.”Conquerors captain Fatima Sana: “We will try to do well in the T20 tournament. All the players are eager to showcase their skills and perform well for the team.“Our team couldn’t win the final of the One-Day Tournament, but this is a T20 event and we will try not to repeat the same mistakes and do well in this competition.”Invincibles captain Muneeba Ali: “We will take one game at a time and will try to win the opening match to gain momentum in the tournament.“I will try to contribute as much in team’s better performance in the tournament.”Stars captain Sidra Amin: “Our team had won the previous One-Day Tournament, so we will be aiming high in the forthcoming T20 tournament.“We have had domestic tournaments regularly in Karachi, so we are familiar with the conditions and are confident of achieving better results in the tournament.”Strikers captain Gull Feroza: “We have had a good preparation camp leading up to the tournament and the young players in our side are ready to perform when given the opportunity.“I am optimistic the team will perform well and give better results in the tournament.”
Two Pakistani blind cricket officials arrive Dhaka for coaching
Dhaka (Sports Bulletin Report): A two-member delegation from the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council, comprising Mohammad Jamil (Head Coach) and Badar Munir (Senior Player) arrived today at Dhaka Airport, Bangladesh.They were warmly received by the officials from the Bangladesh Blind Cricket Council (BBCC).During their stay, the PBCC delegation will conduct training and coaching sessions for Bangladesh Blind Cricket senior players and coaches, at Bashundara Sports Complex, Dhaka from May 7 to 11' 2025, aiming to share skills, strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote the game of blind cricket across the region.
ECB congratulates U16 team on retaining CC Men’s West Zone Cup trophy
Dubai (UAE): The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has congratulated the UAE U16 team on their remarkable victory in the ACC Men’s U16 West Zone Cup. The Ayaan Misbah-led side remained undefeated in the six-team tournament that also featured hosts Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia.In last night’s final, UAE posted a massive 317 for nine total courtesy Ayaan’s 143-run innings off 131 balls, laced with 15 fours and 4 sixes. Kuwait were bundled out for 172 in 43.1 overs in reply Nasim Khan (4-20) and Aryan Thapar (3-21) starred with the ball for the winners.ECB statement for UAE U16 team: “The Emirates Cricket Board is delighted with the U16 team’s performance in Doha which has resulted in the successful defence of the ACC Men’s U16 West Zone Cup which the team had won last year in Sharjah. “The Emirates Cricket Board will continue to provide opportunities to these youngsters who are the future stars of UAE cricket. We wish the players and the coaching staff the very best in the pursuit of their cricketing dreams and ambitions.” (PR)
Match 25: Peshawar Zalmi beat Multan Sultans by seven wickets
Multan (SBR): Peshawar Zalmi bowlers ran riot against Multan Sultans as they romped to a seven-wicket win to keep the playoffs hopes alive in the 25th match of HBL PSL X here at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on Monday night.Player of the match Ahmed Daniyal’s 3-12 helped Zalmi skittle Sultans for a mere 108 – their third lowest total this season, which Babar Azam’s outfit chased with 42 balls to spare.After winning the toss and batting first, Multan suffered two early setbacks as they lost both their opening batters Yasir Khan (10) and skipper Mohammad Rizwan (17) in the first powerplay. Yasir fell to Saim Ayub while Luke Wood bagged Rizwan’s scalp.Tayyab Tahir (22, 18b, 2x4s, 1x6) and Shai Hope (23, 21b, 2x4s, 1x6) provided Sultans with some momentum as they stitched together a 26-run partnership before Tayyab fell to Ahmed, leaving Sultans 60-3 in 8.5 overs.Left-arm spinner Maaz Sadaqat further dented Sultans’ innings as he sent Ashton Turner back to the pavilion on a duck in the 10th over and cleaned up Muhammad Amir Barki in the 12th over.Two deliveries later, pacer Ali Raza dismissed Shahid Aziz, leaving Sultans reeling on 66-6. Hope deposited a couple of boundaries and a maximum, before he fell to his fellow countryman Alzarri Joseph in the 15th over of the innings.Ahmed and Luke Wood cleaned up the tail, bowling Sultans out for 108 in 19.1 overs. Other than Ahmed,Maaz (2-12) and Wood (2-18) shared four wickets for 30 runs between them.In pursuit of the target, Zalmi lost opening batter Mitchell Owen in the first over. Saim Ayub regained his form as he smashed four fours and three sixes in his 33-ball 49.Shahid (3-0-17-2) removed skipper Babar Azam (8) in the seventh over, and Saim in the ninth. Max Bryant steered the ship as he took Zalmi home with an unbeaten 38 off balls including five fours and one six.Peshawar Zalmi are ranked fifth on the table with eight points to their name and will require to win their remaining two games in order to qualify for the playoffs.Scores in brief:Multan Sultans 108 all out, 19.1 overs (Shai Hope 23, Tayyab Tahir 22; Ahmed Daniyal 3-17, Maaz Sadaqat 2-12, Luke Wood 2-18)Peshawar Zalmi 110-3, 13 overs (Saim Ayub 49, Max Bryant 38 not out; Shahid Aziz 2-17)Player of the match – Ahmed Daniyal (Peshawar Zalmi)Wednesday’s fixture: Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi; 8pm PKT
Match 24: Karachi Kings beat Lahore Qalandars by four wickets
Lahore (SBR); Mohammad Irfan Khan’s blistering knock of 48 off 21 balls catapulted Karachi Kings to a much-needed four-wicket triumph over arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars in a rain-hit 15-over game here at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Sunday night.Kings chased the 168-run target in 14.3 overs. Earlier, Qalandars’ 160-8 in 15 overs was revised to 167 based on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, when rain had arrived after 7.5 overs were bowled in their innings.Irfan Khan (48 not out, 21b, 2x4s, 5x6s), who smashed his highest HBL PSL score in 25th game for the Kings across three seasons, walked in to bat at 74-3 in the seventh over and partnered with Saad Baig (25, 15b, 3x4s, 1x6) to take the team to 100-run mark in the 10th over.After Khushdil Shah departed for a seven-ball nine in the 12th over, Mohammad Nabi (15, 18b, 1x4, 1x6) joined Irfan in the middle as the duo blazed on their way to gathering 45 runs for the sixth wicket off a mere 17 balls. With the required rate exactly 16 after 12 overs, Irfan launched Shaheen Shah Afridi for three massive sixes consigning him to a 21-run over.On the first ball of next over, Irfan powered Haris Rauf for a six, while Nabi too joined him in the charge with a six and a four to take 20 runs off the over, bringing the equation down to seven needed off six balls.Daryl Mitchell, bowling his second over of the game, removed Nabi on the first ball, conceded a single on the second and then got hit for a match-sealing six off Irfan.Kings were helped to a swift start with a rapid 40-run opening stand from their opening batters Tim Seifert (24, 10b, 1x6) and David Warner (24, 13b, 2x4s, 2x6s) in 3.1 overs, while no.3 batter James Vince chipped in with 12-ball 13 as they finished the Powerplay with 68-2 on the board.With the fifth win in the tournament, Kings jumped to the third position on the table drawing level with Islamabad United with 10 points each to their name, while table toppers Quetta Gladiators, with 11 points in eight games, have become the first team to qualify for the playoffs. Earlier, Qalandars were asked to bat first and their opening batters Mohammad Naeem and Fakhar Zaman struck fiery half-centuries on either side of the rain break, while also stitching a prolific 90-run stand in 7.5 overs.Naeem, who scored his second consecutive HBL PSL half-century, struck six fours and five sixes in his 29-ball 65-run knock. With Qalandars, 90-1, when the play resumed, Fakhar blitzed his way to a 22nd HBL PSL half-century striking four fours and three sixes as he notched 51 off 33 balls.In the last 7.1 overs of innings, Qalandars lost their last seven wickets for 39 runs as Mohammad Abbas Afridi struck twice in 11th and 14th overs to return figures of 3-0-27-4.Scores in briefMatch 24: Karachi Kings beat Lahore Qalandars by four wickets (DLS) at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore Lahore Qalandars 160-8, 15 overs (Mohammad Naeem 65, Fakhar Zaman 51; Mohammad Abbas Afridi 4-27)Karachi Kings 168-6, 14.3 overs (Mohammad Irfan Khan 48 not out, Saad Baig 25, Tim Seifert 24, David Warner 24, Mohammad Nabi 15; Daryl Mitchell 2-9, Haris Rauf 2-40)Player of the match – Mohammad Irfan Khan (Karachi Kings)Monday’s fixture: Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi at Multan Cricket Stadium; 8pm PKT
National Women’s T20 Tournament to start on May 7 in Karachi
Karachi (SBR); The five-team National Women’s T20 Tournament 2024-25 will begin on 7 May at two venues in Karachi - National Bank Stadium and HPC Oval Ground.This year’s edition will feature five teams Challengers, Conquerors, Invincibles, Stars, and Strikers. Competing in a double-league format, each team will play eight matches with a total of 22 matches slated to take place across 18 days.The teams finishing second and third on the points table will face off in a Qualifier on 22 May, with the winner advancing to meet the top-ranked team in the final on 24 May. The final will be played at the National Bank Stadium.A total of 80 cricketers will participate in the tournament, which carries a prize pool of over PKR three Million. The champions will receive PKR 1.5 million, while the runners-up will take home PKR one million.The 19-member squads of each of the five teams will be trimmed to 16 at the end of the four-day pre-tournament camp, which begins on 3 May in Karachi.Among the players featuring, five national players who were part of Pakistan’s victorious squad at the recently-concluded ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2025 will lead their respective sides– Fatima Sana (Conquerors), Gull Feroza (Strikers), Muneeba Ali (Invincibles), Rameen Shamim (Challengers) and Sidra Amin (Stars).
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